Stereotype-plate-finishing machine



May 5, 1925.

J. J. WALSER ET AL STEREOTYPE PLATE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 WVE/VTOR w,

TORNEX J. J. WALSER ET AL- STEREOTYPE'. PLATE FINISHING MACHINE May 5, 1925.

Filed Jan. 29 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 X ATTORNEY Ma 5, 1925. I

J. J. WALSER ET AL STEREOTYPE PLATE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 920 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 P. g

May 5, 1925. 1,536,462

J. J. WALSER ET AL S'l'EREO'H'PI) PLATE FINISHING MACHINE- Filed Jan. 29, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 hum ATTORV gr Patented May 5, 1925.

UNITED STA ILLINOIS; ASSIGNOR-S ILLINOIS.

TES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH J; WALSER, 0 ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, AND ALBERT A. HENZ I,

or CHICAGO;

TO GOSS PRINTING PREfiS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF .STEREOTYPE IPLATE-FINISHING MACI-UINE.

Application and January 29, 1920. Serial No. 354,982.

To (tZZauhom it may concern: 1 y i Be it known that we, JOSEPH J. WAisnR, a citizen of the United States, residing in Ann Arbor, in the county of lfvashtenaw band useii'ul Improvements in Stereotype PlateFinishing Machineaof which. the following is a specification.

. The invention relates to machines for fin shing stereotypeplates, and more particularly to a novel mechanism for clamping and unclamping the plates within the finish- 1119; machine prior and subsequently tothe fin shing operatlon,

boots and advanta es of the invention 1 will be set forth in part hereinafter and in the appended claims. 7

flhe invention consists in the novel parts,

part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned through practice with the invention, the same being attained through the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in arrangements, construct-ions, combinations and improvements herein shown and de scribed.

The accompanying; drawings, herein 'reterred to and constituting apart hereof, illustrate one embodiment oi the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles thereof.

Oi the drawings r Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a plate. finishing machine comprising an embodiment of the invention. and showing the mechanism in the plate locking" position;

Fig. 2 is an end elevationylooking at Fig. 1 from the left:

Fig; dis a fragmentary detail end elevation of the plate clamping mechanism, which is shown near the. center of Fig. 1 (and looking'at Fig. 1 fromthe left) and at the right center of Fig. 2, showing the parts in plate locking position;

Fig. las a similar view to Fig. 3, but

showing the mechanism in the. plate releasat Fig.

7, 7 sa may similar toFigs. Band 6 but showing the parts in an intermediate position. during the movement from the looking to the unlocking position;

8 is a vertical section on line 8+8 of Fig.

Fig. 9 is a Vertical section on line 9-79 of Fig. 4.; y

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail elevation looking at thecentral part of Fig. 3 from the left;

Fig. '11 is a fragmentary detail elevation looking at the central the left; and

Fig. 12 is'a fragmentary vertical section and elevation showing the mechanism for permitting and preventing the rotation of the cylinder. 1 r a The invention iircertainot its aspects is directed to a rotary stereotype platefinishing machine wherein the stereotype plate to be finished isrotated past stationary or fixed but rotating trimming saws and past stationary or fixed shavingeutters. In cer tain of it aspects the invention is directed toa stereotype plate clamping and releasing mechanism which is controlled or brought into action by the starting of theanachine itself into action. Itwill be understood, however, that in many of its features or aspects the invention is applicable to other forms of machines than the one herein shown and described as the present preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating'by way of example one embodi ment ofthe invention, it is shown applied to and constituting apart of a stereotype plate trimming machine, in which machine the cast plate is received withthe tail orriser attached thereto, and forming or projecting from one of the arcuate ends of the plate,

just at'itcomes from the casting machine. This plate is slid endwise into the interior of the cylindrical body of the trimming ma chine, the plate sliding,- upon its straight edges "apon tracks or guides located longitudinally and very nearly centrally within the cylinder. As the plate runs or slides in upon the guides, it fits loosely within the cylinder, the convex or printing surface on the exterior of the plate being thus and thereby out of contact with the inner surface ofthecylindrical body of the machine.

Preparatory to startingthe machine on the trimming operation, the stereotype plate a: is raised from the guides and is clamped part of Fig. 4 "from firmly and closely against the inner surface of the cylinder. After the plate is so clamped, the cylinder makes a rotation, and duringsuch rotation the two ends of the plate are carried past rotating saws, located at either end of the cylindrical body of the machine, and the head of the plate is thereby trimmed and the tail thereof is severed from the plate, and that end of the plate also properly trimmed. At the same time, the concave back of the plate is carried past one or more fixed shaving knives, which shave the surface of the concave ribs on the back of the plate in a well known manner. The plate is then unclamped, and as so finished or perfected drops to and rests on its straight edges upon the tracks or guideways within the machine body. It is then slid along the tracks or guideways out of the machine, passing out in the same direction but at the opposite ends from which it came in. The plate is usually conveyed out of the trimming machine proper, as just described, by automatically operating mechanism, but such mechanism is not shown or described in the present case, as any form of withdrawing means may be employed so far as the present invention is concerned.

The present invention as applied to such a machine, relates primarily to the means and mechanisms for fastening or clamping; the stereotype plate within the cylindrical body of the machine preparatory to and during; the rotation of the machine past the cutting and trimming and shaving devices which effect the finishing of the plate. The various features and constructions of this novel mechanism will be incorporated in the particular description of the illustrated embodiment, and there will be also pointed out the cooperation of said mechanism with the means by which the plate carrying cylinder is started into rotation and whereby it is again brought to rest after the completion of the trimming of the plate.

Referring now to the details of construction of the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying; drawings. a plate carrying cylinder 1 is arranged preferably horizontally, and is supported in a pair of annular frames or bearings 2 and 3, within which frames the cylinder is rotatable. The annular bearing frames 2 and 3 are mounted upon a suitable machine base 1. The trackways or guides 6 and 7 are arranged within. and nearly centrally and longitudinally of the interior wall of the cylinder 1, very nearly a semi-circumference apart, so that as the plate m is slid into the machine, its straight edges will rest upon and slide along the guides 6 and 7 with the convex character-bearing surface of the plate as out of contact with the interior of the cylinder 1. The stereotype plates 00 are usually pushed into the machine by the hands of the operator, a suitable table or support being usually positioned in front of the machine to aid in this operation.

The embodied form of means for trimming the head and cutting off the tail of the plate w comprises rotary saws 10 and 11, at the opposite ends of the cylindrical body 1 of the machine, these saws being usually protected by casings. The saws 10 and 11 are fixed upon a shaft 12 mounted in bearings 18 and 14 carried upon the general machine. The shaft 12 is driven in any suitable manner, as by gear 15 driven by any suitable devices, not shown.

The shaving of the convex inner ribs of the stereotype plates is effected by one or more shavine; knives or blades 16, indicated conventionally in the drawing.

A machine of the general type so far described is shown and described in Patent No. 1,126,741 to WVm. Evensen dated Feb. 2, 1915.

In the present preferred embodiment of the stereotype plate holding and clamping means, it is designed and constructed to operate in conjunction with the machine starting and machine stopping devices or mechanisms, that is the devices for starting and stopping; the rotation of the cylinder 1 to effect the finishing of the plate and thereafter to leave it in position to be withdrawn or discharged upon the completion of the finishing operation.

In the embodied and exemplified form of means for rotating the cylinder 1, a gear ring- 26 encircles the cylinder 1, and has fixed thereto a hub 25 carrying certain of the connections and controls for the operation of the cylinder 1 from the gear as will be later described.

The gear ring is loose or the cylinder and is driven by suitable means not shown. The gear ring 26 is connectable to and disconnectable from the cylinder 1. to effect the rotation of the cylinder together with effecting certain other functions, as will hereinafter appear.

Referring now to the embodied form of plate clamping means, mechanism is provided adapted to engage with one of the straight edges of the plate, to lift it off the guide 6 or 7 and to press the plate firmly and solidly, and yet without too much pressure, against the interior of the cylinder 1. In accordance with the present invention this means is controlled by the operator and is positive action. As embodied, one or more positively actuated. clamping blocks 45 are provided. mounted on the cylinder 1 and located in breaks or interruptions in the guideway or track 6 or 7, and are slidable to and fro to clamp and to unclamp the plate. The clamping block 45 as shown has its upper surface even with or just below the top of the track 7 while the plate is belIlU downwardly automatically by the machine to free or unclamp the plate after the completion of the finishing operation, permittingits straight edge to rest upon the track or guideway 7, preparatory to the feeding out or discharge of the finished plate.

ails embodied, the clamping block 45 is fixed to a slide 46;, and fixed tothe slide 46 is ablock 47, with which block the actuating means for the clamping device cooperates. Suitable supporting and guiding means for the members 45, 46 and 4? are provided, and as embodied. guidesor brackets 48 and 49 are mounted or supported upon the exterior of the cylinder 1 by suitable means such as screws 50, 51, 52 and 53.

. The slide 46 andactuating block 47 move to and no within the guiding brackets 48 and 49. the clamp block 45 extending through a slot. 54 into the interior of the cylinder 1 and into relation to the trackway '5 which has already been described.

i The actuating devices for he clamping block a5 and its slide 46 and actuating block 4:7 are also mounted in the guiding and supporting brackets 48 and 4-9. As embodied,

, a cam 55 of approximately somewhat more than semi circular shape is adapted to jengage-with the actuating block 47 to slide the block in guides 48 and 4-9 to effect the movement of the clamping jaw 45. which has already been described. Fixed to earn is a" shaft 56, located substantially at one end of the flat or diametrical part of the cam. Y The'shaft- 56 is journaled in a cylin drical opening in the guide brackets 48 and .49. Fixed also to shaft 56, and if desired integral therewith is an actuatingmember 59, preferably of circular form. This member 59 is' thus located just exteriorly to the supporting brackets l8 and 49. Journaled on the exterior side of the actuating member 56 is a contact or cam roller 60, located preferably a semi-diameter apart from the shaft 56. Certain parts ot the mechanism, as will be later described, engage with the contact or cam roller 60 to impart rotative ni-ovementto the cam 55, and thereby give clamping and unclainping movement to the block 4-5. I

Asembodied, and in accordance with certain features of the invention, acam arm or actuating arm 61 is fixed to the starting rod 64:. The. cam starting arm 61 has an arcuate portion 62 upon the lower end thereof with which cooperates the roller 60. As the starting rod 64- is pushed to the right tothel position shown in Fig. 2 the part 62 of cam arm 61 will rotate roller 60 and therewith the cam 55 from the position shown in Figs. 4, 6, and 9 to that shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5, and 8, thereby causing the block 45 to clamp the plate in the cylinder 1 as already described.

In the embodied form oi means for n11- clainping the plate such ineansoperate automatically upon the completion of the trinr. ming operation. Devices are providednpon the gear ring 25, or fined thereto or mov ingor cooperating therewith, for ei'igaging the cam roller 66 and reversing the movement eiieeted through the cam arm 61 as already described, and thereby unclamping or releasing the plate preparatory to the discharge. That is, the mechanism is moved in, the reverse direction. that is, counterclockwise from the position of Figs. 2, 3, 5, 8 and 10 to that of Figs. 4, 6, 9 and 11.

The embodied term of such mechanism is substantially the same or siinilarto that shown in the Evensen Patent No..1,126,741 already referred to. 26 and its hub 25 are mounted upon and lo tate loosely around cylinder 1. 3

Cylinder 1 normallyheld in plate-receiving position by a detent roller 65 2), carried on a bent lever 69, which lever is pivoted at 66 on the machine frame and pressed by a spring 67. Roller 65 cooperates with a detent 68 formed on cylinder 1. The cylinder is thus positioned as shown in 2, with the guides 6 and '7 horizontal or level with respect to each other. Gear ring 2t thus rotates idlyupon the cylinder i. as a support, the cylinder being at rest. Pivoted at 71 on the hub 25 of gear ring 26 (Figs. 1, 2 and12) is a detent which pressed inwardly by a spring 72, which its stated 'ear rin i i 7 t3 t).

spring is mounted on hub 25. In the -cylin der 1 (Fig. 12) is provided a recess 73, and lug 70 is pressed by spring '42 toward the left in Fig. 12 to engage recess 73 when passing by. p e o if dotent 70 did so engage with recess '73 it would lockcylinder 1 to gear ring 26 air. cause them to rotate together. This is not desired, however, except when a plateis to be trimmed.

Means are therefore provided for automatically swinging detent T0 baclrnardly, to the right in Fig. 12, so that it will miss recess 73 and cylinder 1 will be left stationary. [herewith are provided means whereby the operator can cause the detent 70 to lock in recess 73 and thereby efiiect a single revolution ofcylinder l with gear ring 26.

As embodied, a hook T5 is pivoted at 76 on the machine frame. Hook 75 is pressed inwardly into the path of detent 70 by a spring 77, which spring is mounted on the machinetrame at 78 and has its free end pressing against the hook T5. The end 80 0'1": hook 75 thus engages with and swings de- 72 causes tent to the right against spring 1 is left it to escape recess 73, and cylinder stationary as gear rin 26 rotates.

\Vhen the operator has put a plate in cylinder 1 and wishes to lock it in the manner described, and to then start the machine to trim and shave the plate, he pushes rod 64: against spring 83 to the right into the postion shown in Fig. 2. This causes arm (51 to engage cam roll 60 and thereby clamps the plate a as already fully described.

The means for starting cylinder 1 is preferably actuated at the same time and by the same action of the operator. As embodied, a cam 81 is fixed on starting rod (3% and the movement of rod 6% by the operator just described causes cam 81 to engage the top end 82 of lever 75, and to thereby swing lever to the position shown in Fig. 12-.

In this position of lever 75 it does not catch detent 7 0 and the detent, impelled by spring 72, engages recess 7 3, and cylinder 1 starts into rotation with gear ring 26, carrying the plate 00 past the trimming and shaving knives as already described. When cylinder 1 starts, the operator releases rod 64;, which is then restored to the left by spring 83. On the next revolution, hook 75 catches detent 70, cylinder 1 and gear ring 26 are disconnected, and cylinder 1 is stopped and positioned by detent roll 65.

The automatic means for unclamping plate 93 comprises a cam 85 fixed on hub 25 of the gear ring. This cam 85 engages cam roll 60, rotates it in the counter-clockwise direction, and moves the plate clamping mechanism from the position of Figs. 2, 3, 5, 8, and 10 to the unclamped position of Figs. 4;, 6, 9, and 11, which movements of the clamping mechanism have already been described. It will be understood that when rod 64 was moved to the left by spring 83, arm 61 was thereby moved to the left away from cam roll 60, leaving it free to be moved by cam 85 as just described.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the details of construction shown and described, but departures may be made therefrom Within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What we claim is 1. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate rarrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means including a cam for clamping the plate within the holder positively actuated by the hand of the operator.

2. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the plate Within the holder positively actuated by the hand of the operator, said means including a plate clamping member and an unyielding cam member engaging the clamping member to cause it to clamp the plate.

3. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the plate within the holder including a plate clamping member and a rotatable actuating member therefor unconnected thereto and in surface contact therewith.

1. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the plate within the holder including a plate clamping member and an actuating cam engaging therewith to effect the clamping of the plate.

5. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the plate Within the holder including a plate clanipii'ig member and an actuating cam engaging therewith, and manually operated means for moving the cam to move the engaging member to clamp and unclamp the plate.

6. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the plate Within the holder including a plate clamping member and an actuating rotatable cam engaging therewith.

7. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the plate within the holder including a plate clamping member and an actuating rotatable cam engaging therewith, and manually operated means for rotating the cam to move the engaging member to clamp and unclamp the plate.

8. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the plate within the holder positively actuated by the hand of the operator said means including a plate clamping member having translatory clamping, movement and an unyielding cam engaging the clamping member to cause it to clamp the plate.

9. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the plate within the holder positively actuated by the hand of the operator said means including a plate clamping cam having translatory clamping movement and an unyielding rotatable member engaging the clamping member to cause it to clamp the plate.

10. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the'plate with the holder including a plate clamping mem her having translatory clamping movement and an actuating member therefor unconnected thereto and in surface contact therewith.

11. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the plate within the holder including a plate clamping member having translatory clamping movement and an actuating cam engaging therewith.

12. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a rotating plate carrier, means for holding the plate loosely therein, means for clamping the plate within the holder including a plate clamping member having translatory clamping movement and a rotatable actuating cam engaging therewith. i

13. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a plate trimming cylinder, a clamp for clamping the plate within the cylinder, and a cam engaging with and moving the clamp to plate clamping position and means for causing said movement of the cam.

14, Astereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a plate trimming cylinder, aclamp for clamping the plate within the cylinder, a cam engaging with and moving the clamp to plate clamping position, and manually operated means for positively moving the cam to cause the clamp to clamp the plate.

15. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a plate trimming cylinder, a clamp for clamping the plate within the cylinder, a rotatablecam engaging with and moving the clamp to plate clamping position, and means for positively moving the cam to cause the clamp to clamp the plate. i

16. A stereotype plate finishing machine including in combination a plate trimming ,j illllClGI', a clamp for clamping the plate within the cylinder, a cam engaging with and moving the clamp to plate clamping position, means for positively moving the cam to cause the clamp to clamp the plate, and automatically operating means for moving the cam to unclamp the plate.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH J. WALSER. ALBERT A. I-IENZI. Witnesses:

FRANK J. HALSEY. Gonnon G. ABBOTT. 

